Play control mechanism



Oct. 31, 1944. J. D. 'WEAVER PLAY CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1942 FIG.|

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR L030. WEAVER J. D. WEAVER PLAY CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LD 0. WEAVER 1 vid an improved control drawings, and its scope Patented Oct. 31, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIICE PLAY CONTROL MECHANISM Jerald D.-Weaver, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,905

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic phonograph and more particularly to improved control apparatus which is operable to control the playing of a plurality of records on one side or on both sides.

The object of the present invention is to promechanism for an automatic phonograph which will permit an operator to control, at any time, the playing of a plurality of records on one side or on both sides.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved control mechanism for an automatic phonograph which will permit an operator to pre-select which records of a group of records shall be played on one side and which shall be played on both sides. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved control mechanism for an automatic phonograph for controlling the playing of a plurality of records, the setting of which can be changed without affecting the normal playing of th phonograph.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic phonograph adapted to play one side or both sides of a plurality of records. The phonograph includes an actuating means adapted to be moved after the playing of one side of a record. -The actuating means has a first adjustment for effecting'the playing of a record on both sides and a second adjustment for effecting the playing of a record on one side. The phonograph also includes a plurality of control-members adapted for independent predetermined adjustments. An intercepting means operably connects the control members with the actuating means. Means are also provided for effectingthe cooperation of the intercepting means and the control members, whereby predetermined adjustments of the control members willeffect the adjustment of the actuating means to'the first and second adjustments for successively and automaticallyplaying a plurality of records on one side or on both sides, according to the adjustments of the'control members. For a better understanding of the invention,

together with other and further objects thereof,

reference is had to the following description,

taken in connection with the accompanying will be pointed out in the appended claims. M

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation view showing a complete assembly of the play-control apparatus; Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the control dial.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the entire apparatus is mounted on a base plate I0. Beneath the base plate It], there is suspended a bracket II which supports a rotatable drive shaft I2. The shaft I2 may be driven in any suitable manner known in the art. For example, it may be driven in the same manner that shaft BI is shown to be driven in United States Patent No. 2,012,185. A tripping mechanism, such as that shown in United States Patent No. 2,018,881, may be incorporated to initiate the rotation of the shaft I2 after the playing of one side of a record by the phonograph.

An actuating means I3, preferably in the form of acam wheel, is mounted on the shaft l2 to rotate therewith. On the periphery of the cam wheel I3 (Figs. 1 and 2), there are provided the cam elements I5-I 5. Between the cam elements I5-|5, ther is provided an adjustable member I6 which is biased inthe position shown in Fig. 2 by a spring II. The adjustable member I6 is adapted to be moved in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) in response to a force sufllcientto overcome the biasing force of the spring IT.

The cam wheel I3 is also provided with radial cam groove I8, two angular cam grooves I9 and 20 and two other concentric cam grooves 2| and 22. The cam grooves I822 form first and second cam paths, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. A switching element 23 (se Figs. 1 and 4) is pivotally mounted in a suitable manner on the cam wheel I3, preferably in the common area between the cam grooves 2| and 22. The switching element 23 is provided with a pin or extension 24 which'is adapted to move in a slot25 formed in the cam wheel I3. The pin 24 is adapted to move in the slot 25 as the switching element 23 is pivoted from the full-line positionto the dottedline position shown in Fig. 1. The switching element 23 has formed thereon a toe 26 and heel portions 21 and 28. The purpose of the switchelement 23 is in the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 1, while the cam wheel I3 is rotating through a cycle ofoperation, the pin 29 will move in the cam grooves I8, I9, 22 and 20, which is the second cam path referred to above. If the switching element 23 is in the full-line position shown in Fig. 1, while the cam wheel I3 is rotating through a cycle of operation, the pin 29 will follow the cam grooves l8, l9, 2| and 20, which cam grooves describe the first cam path referred to above. While the pin 23 is in the groove 22, it engages the heel 28 to move the switching element 23 from the dotted-line to the full-line position shown in Fig. 1. While the pin 28 is in the groove 2|, it engages the heel 21 to move the switching element 23 from the full-line to the dotted-line positions shown in Fig. 1. The movable member 38 and the cam wheel l3 are adaptable to cooperate with the record-reversing mechanism and the record-changing mechanism described in United States Patent No. 2,012,185 to carry out record-reversing and record-changing cycles, respectively.

A lever or connecting member 3| is pivotally supported in a suitable manner preferably on an arm 32 provided on the bracket l I (Figs. 1 and 2). On one end of the lever 3|, there is provided a pin 33 which is maintained in the path of the cam elements l|5 and the adjustable member l6, while the lever 3| is maintained in its normal position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. A member 34 is pivotally mounted on the opposite end of the lever 3| and is biased by a spring 35 into engagement with an ear 36 provided ,on the lever 3|, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The member 34 is adapted to be moved in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 against the biasing action of the spring 35. The free end of the member 34 has a toothed portion 31. A spring 38, one end of which is fixed to the lever 3| and the other end of which is connected to a suitable fixed body, normally maintains the lever 3| against a pin 39 provided on a suitable fixed object such as a bracket 40 (Figs. 1 and 2).

The lever 3| is adapted to cooperate with control mechanism for controlling the playing of a plurality of records on one side or on both sides. This control mechanism (Figs. 1, 2, 5-7) includes a member or shaft 4| movably mounted on a bracket 42, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The member 4| extends upwardly from the bracket 42 and through an opening in the base plate ID, as shown in Fig. 1.

At the lower end of the member 4|, there is provided a plate or a gear 43 which is rotatable with the member 4|. The gear 43 has a plurality of perforations annularly spaced near its periphery, as shown in Fig. 2. The gear 43 is positioned to be engaged at its periphery by the pivotal member 34 movable with the lever 3|. When the lever 3| is rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2), it transmits counterclockwise movement (Fig. 2) to the gear 43. Below the gear 43, there is provided a ratchet wheel 44 (Figs. 1 and 6) which also is rotatable with the member 4|. A springbiased pawl 45 is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 44 for preventing the clockwise movement (Fig. 1) of the member 4|. Near the opposite end of the member 4|, there is aflixed thereto in a suitable manner a plate 46 (Figs. 1 and '1) which is perforated in the same manner as the gear 43. The upper end of the member 4| is provided with a manual control knob 41 to enable an operator to rotate the member 4| and therewith the plates 43 and 46 for setting the play-control mechanism. A plurality of control members 43, preferably in the form shown in Fig. 1, are frictionally mounted in the perforations of the plates 43 and 48 and extend above the plate 46 and below the plate 43, as shown in Fig. 1. The control members 48 are manually adjustable in a vertical plane relative to the plates 43 and 46 to two different positions. The uppermost position of the control members 48 will be referred to as a first position, and the lowermost position of the control members will be referred to as a second position. When the control members 48 are in the second position and they move past a pin 49 fixed to the bracket 42 (Fig. 5), the control members 48 are moved automatically to the first position. The control members 48 are also movable in unison with the members 4|, 43 and 48 in a horizontal plane. The movement of the control members 48 in a horizontal plane moves them successively past a pointer 58, shown in Fig. 7. An intercepting mechanism or means is associated with the control mechanism, just described, the connecting member 3| and the switching element 23 to cooperate in carrying out the playcontrol operation. This intercepting mechanism includes the lever 63 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the bracket 40, preferably in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 3. One end of the lever 68 is provided with a bent portion 89 which is normally maintained in the path of each of the control members 48 in the second position. The opposite end of the lever 68 is associated with a U-shaped member 10 having the legs 13 and 14. The member 18 is pivotaly mounted on the bracket 40, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The leg 13 normally rests on top of the lever 68 and is adapted to be raised when the.

lever 68 is engaged by the control members 48. When the leg 13 is raised by the lever 68, the leg 14 is moved out of the path of the lever 3|.

As has been previously described, the lever 3|, which is normally maintained by the spring 38' in the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2, is adapted to cooperate with the gear 43 and the cam elements |5--|5 and I6. While the cam wheel I3 is rotating through a cycle of operation, one of the cam elements l5 engages the pin 33 on the lever 3| and begins to pivot the lever 3| in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) against the biasing action of the spring 38. The continued movement of the cam wheel l3 brings the adjustable cam member l6 into engagement with the pin 33 (Fig. 2). If the leg 14 is in the path of the lever 3|, the movement of lever 3| is stopped when it reaches a position midway between the dotted-line and the full-line positions shown in Fig. 2. The stopping of the lever 3| by the leg 14 forces the adjustable member Hi .to pivot in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) against the biasing action of the spring l1. If the leg 14 is out of the path of the lever 3|, the adjustable member H5 is maintained in its normal position by the spring l1 and moves the lever 3| in a clockwise direction to the full-line position shown in Fig. 2. The shape of the members |5-|5 and I6 are such that, after the lever 3| is in the full-line position shown in Fig. 2, or in the midway position previously mentioned, the adjustable member l6 and one of the cam elements l5 permit the spring 38 to move the lever 3| back to the dotted-line position (Fig. 2). The clockwise movement (Fig. 2) of the lever 3| brings the toothed portion 31 of the member 34 into engagement with the gear 43 and rotates it in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2). If the lever 3| is moved in a counterclockwise direction the full distance between the dotted-line and the full-line positions shown in Fig. 2, the gear 43 and the plate 46 are moved the full distance .justment of the member I8 limits the between adjacent control members 48. If the lever 3| is moved in a counterclockwise direction only half the distance between the dotted-line and the full-dine positions shown in Fig. 2, the gear 43 and the plate 48 are moved only half the distance between adjacent control members 48. On the return movement of the lever 3| to its normal dotted-line position (Fig. 2), no movement is transmitted to the gear 43. This is true because of the manner in which the member 34 is connected to the lever 8| and because the ratchet mechanism, including the members 44 and 45, prevents the rotation oi. the gear 48 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2).

The lever 68 is maintained in its normal position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring I8, one end of which is connected to the lever 68 and the other J end of which is connected to the bracket 48. To the opposite end of the lever 88 there is connected, also. a lever TI by a link 18. The lever 11 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the bracket 48. If the switching element 23 is in the full-line position shown in Fig. l. the clockwise movement (Fig. 1) of the lever 11 positions its free end for moving the switching element 23 into the dotted-dine position (Fig. 1). When the lever 88 is held in its normal position (Figs. 1 and 3) by the spring 18, the lever rests against the top of a stop 18 provided on the bracket 40. The lever 68. by means of its connection to the member 18,-is also adapted to raise and lower the member 10 out of and into the path of the member 3| (Fig. 3). This admoveme t of the member 3| in the manner previously described.

In order that the play control mechanism'fumtions properly. it i evident from the descriptio of the invention that the switching element 2 must be in the full-line position shown in Fig. 1 before the phonograph is initiated for operatio If the switching element 23 is not in this fullline position, it may be moved into such positi by mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Th s mechanism includes a spring-biased rod M mounted on the bracket in the manner show in Figs. 1 and 3. The upper end of the rod 8' extends above the base-plate I0 and has a knob BI 80 is adapted to be brou ht into engagement with an L-shaped member 82 pivotally mounted on the bottom of the bracket 40. The le s of the member 82 are counterbalanced so that the member 82 normally is in the position shown in Fi When the lever 82 is pivoted in a countercloc wise direction (Fig. 1) by pressing the rod M downwardly against the force of its biasin spring, one end of the member 82 moves u wardly. If the itching element 23 is in the dotted-line positi shown in Fig. 1. the membe .82 engages the 24 and moves t e switchirw element to the fullline position, shown in th same figure. After the member 82 has mov the switching element 23, to the full-line pos tion (Fig. 1) and the rod 80 has been releas to its normal position. the member 82. as a result of its counterbalance. moves back to'its normal position shown in Fig.1.

Mode of operation I The mode of operation of applicants invention will now be described. Before setting' in operation an automatic phonograph in which applicants invention is incorporated, the rod 80 is pressed downwardly to prov ded thereon. The lower end of the rod move the switching ele- 3 ment 28 to its full-line position shown in Fig. l and a plurality of records are placed in the phonograph. Thereafter, the knob 41 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction until the control member 48 opposite No. 1 on the plate 48 is opposite the pointer 58 in Fig. 7. As has been previously described, each one oi the control members 48 controls th playing or a corresponding record in the automatic phonograph. After the control members 48 are set relative to the pointer 58, the operator tion the control members 48 corresponding to records which he wants to play only on one side and leaves in the first position the control members 48 corresponding to records which he wants to .play on both sides.

In thi description of operation, it will be assumed that the control members 48 opposite the Nos. 1, 3 and 4' (Fig. 7) are in the first position and that the control members opposite Nos. 2 and 5 are in the second position. 1

With the play-control mechanism inthe assumed position, the control member 48 opposite No; 1 (Fig. 7) will be above the curved end 88 of lever 68 but out of engagement with it, and the leg 14 will be in the path of the lever 3| (Fig. 3).

After the first record is played on one side, the tripping mechanism, previously referred to, initiates the rotation of the cam wheel |3 through a cycle of operation. At the beginning of this cycle of rotation, the switching element 23 is in the full-line position shown in Fig. 1. With the sw tching element 23 in this position, the member 29 is guided over the path formed by the grooves 8, l8, 2| and 20, so that the member 30 cooperates with record-reversing mechanism to turn over record No. 1 on the turntable. One form of mechanism for accomplishing this function is described in United States Patent No. 2,012,185. When the pin 29 of the member 38 engages the heel 21 during its movement in the cam groove 2|, it moves the switching element 23 from the full-line position to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 1.

During the record-reversing operation, the forward cam element l5 (see Fig. 1) moves into engagement with the pin 33 and begins to pivot the lever 3| in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2). The

continued movement of the cam wheel I3 brings rection (Fig. 2) against the biasing action of the spring During the clockwise movement (Fig. 2) of the lever 3|, Just referredtmthe member 34 engages the gear 43 and moves it. the shaft 4| and the plate 48 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) a distance midway between the adjacent control members 48 at No. 1 and No. 2 in Fig. 7.

As the cam'wheel' l3 continues to rotate. the member ID and the second cam element 5 are moved out of the path of the 'pin 3 and permit the spring" 38 to move the lever3l in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) to its normal dottedline position (Fig. 2). As is clear from the description,-the ratchet mechanism shown in Fig. 6

prevents the counterclockwise movement of the lever 3| from transmitting motion toth e gear 43. Thereafter, the cam wheel I 3 finishes'its cycle presses into the second posiof rotation and the phonograph is ready to reproduce the opposite side of record No. 1.

After the opposite side of record No. 1 is reproduced, the tripping mechanism again initiates the rotation of the cam wheel l3. Since, during this cycle of operation of the cam wheel IS, the curved portion 89 of the lever 88 will again remain out of engagement with the control members 48, the play-control mechanism will function in the same manner as it did during the previous cycle. During this cycle, the plate 46 is moved to position the control member 48 opposite No. 2 (Fig. 7), opposite the pointer 50. with the control member 48 opposite No. 2 in this position, it will be in engagement with the curved portion 69 of the lever 68 until the gear 43 is again moved by the lever 3i during the succeeding cycle of operation of the cam wheel it. Also, during this cycle of operation, it will be evident that the pin 29 of the member 30 is guided by the second cam path to move the member 30 to cooperate with the recordmoving mechanism for changing a record on the turntable. On embodiment of such mechanism is described in United States Patent No. 2,012,185. As the pin 28 moves in the cam groove 22, it engages the heel 28 to move the switching element 23 from its dotted-line to its full-hue position shown in Fig. 1.

After one side of record No. 2 is reproduced, the tripping mechanism again initiates a cycle of operation of the cam wheel is. At the beginning of the cycle of operatio the lever 68 is held out of its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, by the control member opposite No. 2. With the lever 68 in its abnormal position, it serves to maintain the leg 14 out of the path of the lever 3| and to maintain the lever 11 in the path of the pin 24. As the cam wheel l3 rotates, the pin 24 moves into engagement with the lever 11, whereby the switching element 23 is moved from the full-line position to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 1. With the switching element 23 in this position, the member 29 again is permitted to follow the second cam path. This again permits the member 30 to cooperate with recordmoving mechanism for changing a record on the turntable. As the pin 29 of the member 30 moves in the cam groove 22, it engages the heel 28 of the switching element 23 and moves it from the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 1.

During the record-changing operation, the forward cam portion i5 (Fi 1) moves into en agement with the pin 33, and the lever 3! is moved in a clockwise direct'on (Fig. 3). Continued rotation of the cam wheel i3 brings the member i6 into engagement with the pin 33. And since, at this time, the leg 14 is not in the path of the lever 3i, the lever 3i is moved in a clockwise direction to the full-line position shown in Fig. 3. During the clockwise movement (Fig. 2) of the lever 3i just described, the gear 43, the shaft 4i and the plate 46 are moved, in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 2), the full distance between the adjacent control members 48 opposite Nos. 2 and 3 in Fig. 7. This brings the control member 48 at No. 3 (Fig. '7) over the curved end 69 of this lever 68 but not into engagement with it. Thereafter, during further rotation of the cam wheel i3, the adjustable member i6 and the second cam element i5, due to their shape, permit the spring 38 to move the lever Si in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) to its normal dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2. After the cam wheel finishes to the full-line position' its cycle of rotation, the phonograph is ready to reproduce record No. 3.

While there has been described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising, an actuating element movable and adiustable between first and second positions, a movable assembly of manually operable control members, each'of which is manually movable for independent predetermined adjustments, first mechanical linkage means disposed to be engaged by adjusted control members and movable thereby into engagement with said actuating element for moving said element between the first and second positions, second mechanical linkage means operatively associated with said movable assembly of control members and said actuating element and movable by said element for moving each of said members successively into operative position with respect to said first mechanical linkage means whereby adjustments of said control members will effect adjustments of said actuating element.

2. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising an actuating element movable and adjustable between first and second positions, a rotatable assembly of manually operable control members, each of which is manually movable from an ineffective position to an effective position, means disposed between the control members and the actuating element for operably connecting said control members and said actuating element to adjust said actuating element between the first and second positions, and means operatively associated with the actuating element and the rotatable assembly of control members for rotating the assembly and therewith-the control members successively into operative relation with the connecting means whereby control members in the effective position effect adjustments of said actuating element.

3. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising an actuating element movable and adjustable between first and second positions, a rotatable assembly of manually operable control members, each of which is manually movable from an ineffective position to an efiective position, first mechanical linkage means disposed to be engaged by any of said control members which are in the effective position and movable thereby into engagement with said actuating element for moving said element between the first and second positions, second mechani cal linkage means operatively associated with said rotatable assembly of control members and said actuating element and movable by said element for rotating said members successively into operative position with respect to said first me chanical linkage means, whereby adjustments of said control members will effect adjustments of said actuating element.

4. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising, an actuating element movable and adjustable between first and second positions, a movable assembly of manually operable control members, each of which is manually movable for independent predetermined adjustments, first mechanical linkage means disposed to be engaged by adjusted control members and movable thereby into engagement with said actuating element for moving said element between the first and second positions, second mechanical linkage means operatively associated with said movable assembly of control members and said actuating element and movable by said element for moving each of said members successively into operative position with respect to said first mechanical linkage means, a stop mechanism normally disposed in the path of movement of said second linkage means for limiting the movement thereof to prevent rotation of said members into operative position and operatively associated with said first mechanical linkage to be moved thereby out of the path of said second mechanical linkage only when said first mechanical linkage is moved and means operatively associated with said actuating element and movable thereby into engagement with said second mechanical linkage means for moving it.

5. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising, an actuating element movable and adjustable between first and second positions, a rotatable assembly of manually operable control members, each of which is ,manually movable from an ineffective position to an effective position, first mechanical linkage means disposed to be engaged by any of said control members which are in the effective position and movable thereby into engagement with said actuating element for moving said element between the first and second positions, second mechanical linkage means operatively associated with said rotatable assembly of control members and said actuating element and movable for rotating said members successively into operative position with respect to said first mechanical linkage means, a stop mechanism normally disposed in the path of movement of said second linkage means for limiting the movement thereof to prevent rotation of said members into operative position and operatively associated with said first mechanical linkage to be moved thereby out of the path of said second mechanical linkage only when said first mechanical linkage is moved and means operatively associated with said actuating element and movable thereby into engagement with said second mechanical linkage means for moving it.

6. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising, an actuating element movable and adjustable between first and second positions, a rotatable assembly of manually operable control members, each of which is manually movable from an ineffective position to an effective position, first mechanical linkage means disposed to be engaged by any of said control members which are in the effective position and movable thereby into engagement with said actuating element for moving said element between the first and second positions, second mechanical linkage means operatively associated with said rotatable assembly of control members and said actuating element and movable through a predetermined angle for rotating said members successively into operative position with respect to said first mechanical linkage means, a stop'mechanism normally disposed in the path of movement of said second linkage means for limiting the movement thereof to one-half said predetermined angle and operatively associated with said first mechanical linkage to be moved thereby out of the path of said second mechanical linkage only when said first mechanical linkage is moved and means oneratively associated with said actuating element and movable thereby into engagement with said second mechanical linkage means for moving it.

7. An automatic phonograph control mechanism comprising a movable cam, a cam follower operatively associated with said cam, an adjustable element pivoted to said cam for adjustment between first and second positions for controlling the action of said cam follower, a rotatable assembly or manually operable control members,

thereof to one-half said predetermined angle and operatively associated with said first mechanical linkage to be moved thereby out of the path of said second mechanimembers, each of which is manually movable from an inefiective position to an efiective position, first mechanical linkage JERALD D. WEAVER. 

